Earthquake in Xizang: Expert explains rescue difficulties

A magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck Dingri County in Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, at a depth of 10 kilometers at 9:05 a.m. on Tuesday.

Its epicenter was in Tsogo Township, affecting 27 villages and approximately 6,900 people within a 20-km radius.

Dingri County lies on the northern slope of the Himalayas, bordering Nepal to the south. Its average altitude of 4,500 meters also puts it near the northern base camp of Mount Qomolangma, the world's highest peak.

Nearly 90 percent of the county's land is part of the Qomolangma National Nature Reserve, which draws global attention due to its unique ecological environment.

The earthquake that jolted Dingri County is closely related to the region's unique geological structure and plate tectonics, according to Professor Ma Changqian from the School of Earth Sciences at the China University of Geosciences.

Located in the southern part of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, Dingri County is situated in one of the world's most seismically active zones.

This area lies within the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian plates, near the renowned Himalayan orogenic belt. Its crust exceeds 70 kilometers in thickness, making it one of the thickest in the world.

Ma explained that the complex tectonic activities within the crust, including fault slipping, folding, and thrust faulting, generate significant stress accumulation, creating conditions for intense seismic activity.

Following the magnitude-6.8 earthquake, aftershocks are likely to occur in the epicenter area and its surroundings over the coming days and weeks. Generally, the magnitude of aftershocks decreases over time, but due to the high tectonic activity in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, there remains a possibility of aftershocks exceeding magnitude-5, Ma said.

Challenges in high-altitude rescues

Given the severity of the disaster, the China Earthquake Administration launched a level-I emergency response and sent a work team to the site to assist with local disaster relief efforts.

The office of the State Council earthquake relief headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management also initiated level-II emergency responses for earthquakes on Tuesday.

When asked what challenges the rescue operations might face, Ma said that Dingri County's high-altitude mountainous terrain, characterized by valleys, steep slopes, and rugged landscapes, makes it prone to secondary disasters such as landslides and mudslides.

These hazards can hinder rescue efforts by blocking access to the epicenter. Additionally, the earthquake may damage infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, disrupt transportation routes, and delay the delivery of relief supplies and personnel.

The harsh winter conditions in the high-altitude region pose additional challenges, Ma said, adding that nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing, increasing survival risks for the injured and complicating rescue operations. Moreover, the unpredictable weather in the area – characterized by snowfall, strong winds, and low visibility – can further delay both aerial and ground-based rescue missions.

Ma emphasized the importance of preventing secondary disasters, suggesting the deployment of geological experts to assess the stability of mountain slopes and avoid sending rescue personnel into high-risk areas, thereby reducing the risks of landslides and avalanches. Additionally, hydrological monitoring should be strengthened to address and mitigate potential barrier lakes promptly.

(With input from Xinhua)